Rev. Christian Meyer Funk, Sr

• Father: Henry \ Heinrich Funck \ Funk , Jr b: in Germany (the Palatinate) or Holland & Mother: Anna Christina Meyer b: ABT 1707 in what is now Montgomery Co, PA
• FUNK, CHRISTIAN DAR Ancestor #: A042612
• Christian Funk listed in the Pennsylvania, U.S., Land Warrants and Applications 1794.
• Service: PENNSYLVANIA Rank: PATRIOTIC SERVICE
• Birth: 1731 FRANCONIA TWP PHILADELPHIA CO PENNSYLVANIA
• Death: 31 MAY 1811 in Montgomery Co, PA ("in his 80th year") - buried Delp's graveyard, Franconia (Rev War Vet) •Note: He and his followers became known as Funkites after being excommunicated f rom the Mennonite Church due to differences in beliefs concerning the Revolutionary War. This sect died out around 1850.
• Rev. Christian Meyer Funk, Sr. is listed in Pennsylvania, U.S., Septennial Census, 1779-1863 for Christian Funck Montgomery 1786.
• Service Source: FUNK, A MIRROR FOR ALL MANKIND-EXCERPTS IN DATA; PA ARCH, 3RD SER, VOL 15, PP 398, 400
• Service Description: 1) EXCOMMUNICATED FROM MENNONITE CHURCH FOR HIS ACTIVITIES IN BEHALF OF THE COLONIES;
• 2) PAID SUPPLY TAX
• Rev. Christian Meyer Funk, Sr.'s Family listed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S., Mennonite Vital Records, for Christian Funk Friesen, Peter B - Garza, Casimiro.
• Rev. Christian Meyer Funk, Sr Find a Grave Memorial

Married

• Married: Barbara Moyer Cassel, In 1751 in Pennsylvania, United States. Daughter of Reverend Yelles (Julius) Cassel and Susanna "Anna" Cassel (Meyer)

Children

• 1. Anna Cassel Funk b: ABT 1753 in what is now Montgomery Co, PA
• 2. Mary Cassel Funk b: ABT 1756 in what is now Montgomery Co, PA
• 3. Catherine Cassel Funk b: 12 JAN 1759 in what is now Montgomery Co, PA
• 4. Barbara Cassel Funk b: 22 JAN 1760 in what is now Montgomery Co, PA
• 5. Sarah Cassel Funk b: ABT 1761 in what is now Montgomery Co, PA
• 6. John Cassel Funk b: Birth: September 16, 1762 in Montgomery, Franconia, PA, United States & died on September 16, 1824, age (62). Married Elizabeth F Wagner and Ann Hendricks Johnson. Berks County, Pennsylvania, USA.
• 7. Abraham Funk b: ABT 1765 in what is now Montgomery Co, PA
• 8. Susanna Cassel Funk b: UNKNOWN in what is now Montgomery Co, PA
• 9. Elizabeth Cassel Funk b: UNKNOWN in what is now Montgomery Co, PA

Rev. Christian Meyer Funk, Sr, by North America, Family Histories, Cassel A genealogical history of the Cassel family in America : being the descendants of Julius Kassel.

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Funk, Christian (1731-1811), by Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia

Christian Funk, born in 1731 in Franconia Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, the son of Bishop Henry Funck. He married Barbara, daughter of Preacher Julius Cassel, in 1751. Nine children were born to this union. His father ordained him to the ministry for the Franconia circuit about 1756. He was confirmed as bishop in 1769. According to the letter of 1773 addressed to the Mennonites of Holland, which was probably written by Christian Funk, the bishop district included the congregations of Franconia, Plains, Salford, Rockhill, and Line Lexington.

Christian Funk was an able leader with very decided views, which finally led to the first schism among the American Mennonites. The American Revolution with its problems for nonresistant Mennonites formed the background for this division. Most of the Mennonite leaders strenuously opposed the oath of allegiance required by all Pennsylvania inhabitants by an Act of the Assembly, 13 June 1777, on grounds of Scriptural principle, as well as their loyalty to the king, to whom they had promised allegiance. They also opposed the payment of a special war tax of two pounds, ten shillings, levied in 1777. They considered Congress a government in rebellion. Christian Funk agreed with his fellow ministers that "as a defenseless people, the Mennonites could neither institute nor destroy any government." But after Funk read a copy of the Pennsylvania Constitution, and noted its guarantees of freedom of worship and freedom of conscience on the matter of bearing arms and oath taking, he began to express his conviction that Congress should not be denounced as rebellious. He also urged the payment of the special war tax, and took no stand against the oath of allegiance. These views brought Funk into direct conflict with his fellow bishops and ministers. He was deposed from his office as bishop, silenced as a minister, and excommunicated. After the war ended a reconciliation was attempted, but was unsuccessful, as Funk refused to be admitted as a transgressor.

Funk and several followers continued to worship as a separate group, which organized at least four congregations. Various factors, such as poor leadership, the Herrite influence, and the Oberholtzer schism, led to the final disintegration of the "Funkite" group by 1855. In that year the meetinghouse near Harleysville was torn down and rebuilt at the Delp's burial ground. Tradition holds that Funk lies buried in this cemetery, though no marker has been found. He died 31 May 1811.

Our principal source for the history of the "Funkite" controversy is Christian Funk's own treatise, Ein Spiegel für Alle Menschen . . . (published at Reading, 1813 and in English, A Mirror for all Mankind . . . , Norristown, 1814). It is admittedly a strong polemic in defense of Funk's position in the issues involved. It is also an invaluable contemporary source for our knowledge of Mennonite church life and practices of the late colonial period.

A Brief History of Bishop Henry Funck and other Funk Pioneers & the Descendants of Christian Funk, son of Bishop Henry Funck

Il. Rev. Christian Funk, bo. In Franconia Twp., Montgomery Co., Pa. In 1731; died May 31, 1811, aged 80 years.
Married Barbara Cassel, daughter of Yelles Cassel. She was buried Dec. 29, 1702. Lived on the Indlan Creek, where he inherited from his father 137 acres and 148 perches of the old homestead. He afterwards purchased the remaining portlon of the old homestead of 83 acres, 10 perches and the mill from his brother, Abraham Funk, who owned it only about 3 years. Christian Funk was a large land holder, and in addition to the homestead he purchased on August 2, 1790, 40 acres from the here of Dirk Johnson, Samuel Morris and wife Rebecca, and Catharine Greenleaf, making a total of 241 acres, and 51 perches, which vast plantation, with the grist mill, water righte, bulldings and Improvements he conveyed to his son-in-law, John Deweller, on July 29, 1794, for the sum of £3,300 ln gold and silver. Christian Funk was chosen to the ministry at Franconla in 1757 and remained a faithful worker untli the breaking out of the war in 1774, "when his troubles commenced," an account of which is contained in the History of Lower Balford Townshlp by James Y. Heckler, from which we take extracts as follows: "It was during these years which are known as 'the time that tried men's souls,' that society in this vicinity was considerably shaken by the surges of the Revolution. "The Mennonites, though non resistant, were looked upon, by the Revolutionary element, as tories, but as he came from Krieshiem Germany, in 1727, in the ship Friendship & landed Oct. 16, 1787. they did not show any signs of boatility to the government nor to the army, there was no trouble in that respect; though they suffered the loss of some of their best horses, some cattle and some grain, which the army was greatly in need of. But the different views entertained by the officiale of the sald church in regard to the 'attest,' or oath of allegiance, and the payment of revenues demanded by the government, brought matters into collision among themselves. It was principally on this account that Christian Funk, a Mennonite preacher, with a party of adherents were expelled from their communion. He himself ways, 'How easily we might have gone through this war. But not Congress and American government was rejected as rebellious, and the king acknowledged the edged by my fellow ministers, under the idea that Congress would soon be overpowered. The war, however, constantly increased and mutual abuse between those who were favorable with Congress and those inclined to. wards the king manifested Itself, and discontent was al most universal,' "Christian Funk was not an Ignorant man, for he was well read and well acquainted with the affairs of the country, and espoused the cause of the American. Congress as the most reasonable side of the question; for he knew the causes which brought matters into collision between the British government and the American colo-nists, and for taking sides with Congress he was excom-municated. "By reading Mr. Funk' own statement we are led to the conclusion that he acted too indifferently in those matters preferred against him, and that If he had been a little more shrewd and persevering he might have driven his accusers against the wall. "But it appears that he still bad hopes of reconciliation tion, of being reatored to the church of his choice even In his old age yet; but the ban of excommunication had been laid upon him and those In office in the Mennonite church, after many of the former officers were dead, and when Mr. Funk was an old man, still refused to remove it and restore him. "He and his followers organized themselves into a church some time after their excommunication, which was known as the "Funkites." His Influence extended over a considerable district. They built a meet Ing house In Evansburg, Lower Providence township; one on the Skippack, in Towamencin, in 1814, and one about a mile north of Harleysville in 1814 or 1815. Before build• ing these houses they held meetings in their homes. "They had other places of worship, among them Frick's school house, near Line Lexington, which they probably bullt, as well as the one near Harleysville. "We will yet add that In 1807 Christian Funk made his last effort to be restored to his mother church, but on account of his own church the ban was not removed. The Mennonites came near yielding so far as to receive him and bis members, but they would not receive his ministers. He afterwards made a statement of his troubles, which he left to posterity. This statement is endorsed by Henry Rosenberger, John Funk, John Reift, Henry Gottwals, John Whiler, Christian Gottwals, Jacob Whiler, John Gottwals, and George Shoemaker," After the death of Christian Funk the care of the church devolved upon his son, John Funk, and about ten years later began to decline until about the year 1800, when it became extinct. One of the chief causes of the decliue of the church, was allowing one John Herr, a heretic from Lancaster county, to preach among them, and divide them, some taking sides with John Herr; in his pecullar doctrines, and others opposing, which caused a divIsion among themselves, a part adhering to the Herr-Ites, and part opposing. Christian Funk and wife are burled at Delps grave. yard. Their children are: Anna, Elizabeth, Mary, Catharine, Barbara, Sarah, John, Abraham, Susauna.
Ill. Anna Funk, bn. In Montgomery Co., Pa., died, - Married David Rosenberger* (his 1st wife). He died in 1820, aged about 80 years. In 1771 he recelved his patrimony from his father. The two hundred acres bequeathed to him was bounded on the north west by the crossroad, now a turnpike, running from the county line to Hatfield station. It comprised the Landis farm, those of Henry and Samuel.

Bibliography

Christian Funk, born in 1731 in Franconia Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, the son of Bishop Henry Funck. He married Barbara, daughter of Preacher Julius Cassel, in 1751. Nine children were born to this union. His father ordained him to the ministry for the Franconia circuit about 1756. He was confirmed as bishop in 1769. According to the letter of 1773 addressed to the Mennonites of Holland, which was probably written by Christian Funk, the bishop district included the congregations of Franconia, Plains, Salford, Rockhill, and Line Lexington.

Christian Funk was an able leader with very decided views, which finally led to the first schism among the American Mennonites. The American Revolution with its problems for nonresistant Mennonites formed the background for this division. Most of the Mennonite leaders strenuously opposed the oath of allegiance required by all Pennsylvania inhabitants by an Act of the Assembly, 13 June 1777, on grounds of Scriptural principle, as well as their loyalty to the king, to whom they had promised allegiance. They also opposed the payment of a special war tax of two pounds, ten shillings, levied in 1777. They considered Congress a government in rebellion. Christian Funk agreed with his fellow ministers that "as a defenseless people, the Mennonites could neither institute nor destroy any government." But after Funk read a copy of the Pennsylvania Constitution, and noted its guarantees of freedom of worship and freedom of conscience on the matter of bearing arms and oath taking, he began to express his conviction that Congress should not be denounced as rebellious. He also urged the payment of the special war tax, and took no stand against the oath of allegiance. These views brought Funk into direct conflict with his fellow bishops and ministers. He was deposed from his office as bishop, silenced as a minister, and excommunicated. After the war ended a reconciliation was attempted, but was unsuccessful, as Funk refused to be admitted as a transgressor.

Funk and several followers continued to worship as a separate group, which organized at least four congregations. Various factors, such as poor leadership, the Herrite influence, and the Oberholtzer schism, led to the final disintegration of the "Funkite" group by 1855. In that year the meetinghouse near Harleysville was torn down and rebuilt at the Delp's burial ground. Tradition holds that Funk lies buried in this cemetery, though no marker has been found. He died 31 May 1811.

Our principal source for the history of the "Funkite" controversy is Christian Funk's own treatise, Ein Spiegel für Alle Menschen . . . (published at Reading, 1813 and in English, A Mirror for all Mankind . . . , Norristown, 1814). It is admittedly a strong polemic in defense of Funk's position in the issues involved. It is also an invaluable contemporary source for our knowledge of Mennonite church life and practices of the late colonial period.

Source Bibliography Funk, Christian (1731-1811) - https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Funk,_Christian_(1731-1811)

Encyclopedia

Funkites, the name given the followers of Bishop Christian Funk (1731-1811), who withdrew from the Franconia Conference (Mennonite Church) in 1778 because of his sympathies with the seceding American colonies, while the Conference favored continued loyalty to the British Crown in view of their previous promise (oath) of loyalty. Funk was the son of Bishop Henry Funk (d. 1760) and father of a large Funk family in America. He was ordained as a minister in 1756 and as a bishop in 1769.

All went well between Funk and his fellow ministers and bishops until the issue of American independence arose. At first he also was of one mind with them on that issue: nonresistants ought not support a rebellion. But when he read the Pennsylvania constitution, and saw to his great joy that it gave full religious liberty, and even promised not to compel nonresistants to take up arms or to swear an oath, Funk began to look at the matter differently. There were, said he, "already four republics, and perhaps America would be another." He also favored paying a (war) tax to the American government which the other ministers opposed. The climax came in 1778, when Funk was deposed from office by the other bishops of the conference. Funk's relatives and some other supporters persuaded him to become their minister. At first the schismatic "Funkites" held their services in the Franconia meetinghouse on alternate Sundays when it had not been used, but soon they were locked out. In the course of time Funk ordained his brother John as a minister, and his son-in-law, John Detweiler, as a deacon. His older brother Henry, a minister from 1768, also stood with him.

Sources:

• Hege, Christian and Christian Neff. Mennonitisches Lexikon, 4 vols. Frankfurt & Weierhof: Hege; Karlsruhe: Schneider, 1913-1967: v. II, 18.
• Leatherman, Quintus. "Funk, Christian (1731-1811)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1956. Web. 21 Aug 2019. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Funk,_Christian_(1731-1811)&oldid....
• Leatherman, Quintus. (1956). Funk, Christian (1731-1811). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 21 August 2019, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Funk,_Christian_(1731-1811)&oldid....
• Title: Daughters of American Revolution; http://www.dar.org/library/online_research.cfm
• Brief History of Bishop Henry Funck And Other Funk Pioneers, Volume 1 (1899) - https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-57399-63/brief-history-o...
• A brief history of Bishop Henry Funck and other Funk pioneers, and a complete, page 142 - https://archive.org/stream/briefhistoryofbi01fret#page/306/mode/1up...
• A genealogical record of the descendants of Christian and Hans Meyer and other pioneers, page 25 - https://archive.org/stream/genealogicalreco00fret3#page/25/mode/1up...
• MH:SC8951 Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=52757565&pid...
• A genealogical history of the Cassel family in America : being the descendants of Julius Kassel or Yelles Cassel, of Kriesheim, Baden, Germany : containing biographical sketches of prominent descendants, with illustrations by Cassel, Daniel Kolb, b. 1820 - https://archive.org/details/genealogicalhist00cass/page/258
• Hege, Christian and Christian Neff. Mennonitisches Lexikon, 4 vols. Frankfurt & Weierhof: Hege; Karlsruhe: Schneider, 1913-1967: v. II, 18.
• Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 2, p. 421. All rights reserved.